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Last month we had a discussion here about snacks/lunch and school. Last night 20/20 did a program about: are you buying what you think you are buying, which examined whole grain advertising and sugar in the raw. When they began addressing sugar there was mention of hyperactivity and sugar consumption in children by John Stossel. The dietician refuted it stating that there is zero research to indicate that sugar results in hyperactivity in most children or that sugar can make kids "go wild." I thought of you Crick, and the granola bar incident.
Of course sugar is empty calories and excessive sugar intake can lead to a myriad of life health problems, but does it cause hyperactivity? I stated on said thread that my daughter eats "fun" sugar, in the form of Starbucks pumpkin loaf or lemon cake, (she is not permitted to have candies, dyed Hostess items, much juice and despises chocolate), and I have never seen a behavioral change in her from sugar. While there are always varied views on every subject, it seems that there is much to indicate that researchers believe sugar has zero effect on a child's ability to sit still and concentrate.
[url]http://faculty.concord.edu/rockc/articles/sugar3.html[/url]
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I have seen these reports, but honestly it flies in the face of my own personal experience. Maybe sugar does not cause a child to become permanently hyper, but it certainly has visible short-term effects. Whenever my son comes home from a birthday party--he is bouncing off the walls with the sugar from cakes and cookies. I feel that since we do not have sugared snacks at home, he can have a treat once in a while, but the change in his behaviour is noticeable. Whenever they have a special day with treats at school, like the xmas party---its like animal house. The kids go crazy with the sugar. Its just so clear.
Of course its like anything else. I drink very little caffeine, so a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon and I am up all night. My dh can drink a double expresso after dinner and sleep like a baby. I think your body adjusts to certain substances. Since my son has so little sugar, its probably more noticeable when he does.
We had a family over for dinner that brought us home-made cookies. DS was allowed to have one for dessert. He was so wired he went to sleep 1-1/2 hours after his bedtime and even then it was a struggle.
I am not sure what to make of the research, but I personally have to make a judgement as a parent based on what I feel is best. In my experience sugar affects my sons behaviour so I have to trust my experience.
I am interested in what others have to say as well...
Lexie
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I have three kids to whom sugar is not an issue and one who DEFINITELY reacts!!! We consider it a "food allergy" with him and treat it as such. He is a different child off of white sugar and I will NOT go back to "try" ;).
I dont care WHAT the docs say -- unless he is going to move in with me, Child #2 is staying off of sugar! :)
Jen
You know Jen, it seems that every article I read indicated that some kids (the percentage was varying) do react to sugar; it is considered an allergy and not a typical reaction.
Lexie, the program and several of the articles addressed precisely the issue that you mention. One parent in particular agreed with the research; the issue of over excitement was about the party, being with 20 mates, participating in games, raising voices - the event. It also was very very clear to distinguish the difference between sugar and chocolate/caffeine, which without question affects people's level of hyperactivity.
Also simple sugars do not just come in the form of sweets/desserts; and most people have a significant amount of simple sugar in their diet, if not table sugar, fructose (fruits without skin) and milk.